At a Glance

2003 Infiniti
List Price: $42,300 Price as Tested: $46,175
Nissan North America Inc., Infiniti Division, P Box 191, Gardena, Calif. 90248-0191; www.infinitinews.com.O.
Price as tested includes std equip. (ABS, yaw control, traction control, xenon headlights, side airbags, air conditioning, cruise control, Vehicle Information Sys., anti-theft, AM/FM/cassette/6-disc CD; pwr mirrors, windows and door locks), Premium Pkg (Voice Recognition, sunroof, climate-control seats) $2200, Comfort/Convenience Pkg (HomeLink, tire-press. monitor, full-size spare) $950, luxury tax ($180), dest charge ($545).
0-60 mph 0- 14 mile Top speed Skidpad Slalom Brake rating
6.1 sec 14.6 sec 145 mph* 0.80g 59.9 mph very good

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Type.aluminum block & heads, V-8 Valvetrain.dohc 4-valve/cyl Displacement.274 cu in./4494 cc Bore x stroke.3.66 x 3.26 in./ 93.0 x 82.7 mm Compression ratio.10.5:1 Horsepower (SAE).340 bhp @ 6400 rpm Bhp/liter.75.7 Torque.333 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm Redline.6600 rpm Fuel injection.elect. sequential port Fuel.premium unleaded, 91 pump octane

Chassis & Body

Layout.front engine/rear drive Body/frame.unit steel Brakes: Front.11.4-in. vented discs Rear.11.5-in. vented discs Assist type.vacuum, ABS Total swept area.411 sq in. Swept area/ton.204 sq in. Wheels.alloy, 18 x 712 JJ Tires.Bridgestone Turanza ER33, 235/45R-18 94W Steering.rack & pinion, pwr assist Overall ratio.18.4:1 Turns, lock to lock.2.9 Turning circle.40.0 ft Suspension Front: MacPherson struts, lower A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar Rear: multilink, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar

General Data

Curb weight.3900 lb Test weight.4030 lb Weight dist (with driver), f/r, %.55/45 Wheelbase.110.2 in. Track, f/r.59.4 in./59.4 in. Length.197.2 in. Width.69.7 in. Height.57.6 in. Ground clearance.5.7 in. Trunk space.12.6 cu ft

Drivetrain

Transmission: 5-speed automatic Ratio Overall ratio (Rpm) Mph Gear 1st 3.54:1 11.08:1 (6600) 36 2nd 2.26:1 7.07:1 (6600) 62 3rd 1.47:1 4.60:1 (6600) 87 4th 1.00:1 3.13:1 (6600) 127 5th 0.83:1 2.60:1 est (6250) 145* Final drive ratio...3.13:1 Engine rpm @ 60 mph in top gear..2200

*Electronically limited.

Accommodations
Seating capacity.5 Head room: Front.36.5 in. Rear.35.8 in. Seat width: Front.2 x 19.0 in. Rear.51.0 in. Front-seat leg room.42.5 in. Seatback adjustment.30 deg Seat travel.9.5 in. Rear-seat knee room.24.5 in.

Instrumentation

160-mph speedometer, 8000-rpm tachometer, fuel level, coolant temp

Warranty

Basic warranty.5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain.6 years/70,000 miles Rust-through.8 years/unlimited miles

Safety

dual front and side airbags, side-curtain airbags; anti-lock braking, brake assist, brake force distribution, yaw control, traction control (all standard equip.)

PERFORMANCE

Acceleration
Time to speed Seconds 030 mph.2.mph.3.mph.4.mph.6.mph.7.mph.10.mph.12.mph.16.0 Time to distance 0100 ft.3.ft.8.ft.11.ft (14 mile).14.6 @ 96.8 mph

Braking

Minimum stopping distance From 60 mph.129 ft From 80 mph.239 ft Control.excellent Brake feel.good Overall brake rating.very good
Subjective ratings consist of excellent, very good, good, average, poor; na means information is not available.

Handling

Lateral acceleration (200 ft skidpad).0.80g Balance.moderate understeer Speed through 700-ft slalom.59.9 mph Balance.moderate understeer Lateral seat support.good
MPH SEC 2003 INFINITI M4 mile: 14.6 sec. @ 96.8 mph

Fuel Economy

Our driving.21.0 mpg EPA city/highway.17/23 mpg Cruise range.422 miles Fuel capacity.21.1 gal.

Interior Noise

Idle in neutral.50 dBA Maximum in 1st gear.70 dBA Constant 50 mph.66 dBA 70 mph.70 dBA

Test Notes:

Launching the M45 off the line, wheelspin is a bit hard to control with throttle modulation. Once the tires bite, the car scoots with impressive torque. A smaller ratio gap between 2nd and 3rd gears could alleviate a dramatic falloff in acceleration rate. Around the skidpad, there is much roll to the chassis. Through the slalom, the gearboxs reluctance to stay in 3rd gear caused a sudden downshift and upset the cars balance.

Test Conditions:

Temperature Humidity Elevation Wind

150 ft